Palace Malice returns to breezing

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – One of Todd Pletcher’s older handicap stars, Palace Malice, was back on the work tab Monday, going a half-mile in 49.45 seconds over the Oklahoma training track.

Palace Malice has started just once since finishing sixth as the odds-on favorite in the 2014 Whitney. Pletcher cited “foot issues and other stuff” as the reason for Palace Malice being sidelined during the spring.

“We’re hoping to make a race at the meet with him,” said Pletcher on Monday. “He took a step towards that today with a good half-mile breeze.”

Pletcher also confirmed that Competitive Edge is on target for the Grade 1 Haskell and a showdown with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2. Competitive Edge worked five furlongs in 1:00.68 here Sunday.

“He’s been training great and we’re planning on running in the Haskell if everything continues to go well,” said Pletcher.

Competitive Edge suffered his first setback in five starts when finishing far back as the 3-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens on Belmont Stakes Day. Competitive Edge has been ridden by John Velazquez in all of his starts, but Velazquez is committed to ride Untapable in the Shuvee here the same day as the Haskell. Pletcher said he is hoping to secure the services of Mike Smith for the Haskell.